New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-09
an they got so couldn't see the needle nor sew
straight an had to give UP the sewing an then
didn't know which way to turn, for there was Le-
andcr. The old folks were up there STILL wrast-

couldn't get him up there. Leandcr was paulehu
as Il saint, but he fretted over me an how was TO
get along.
"'You'r re not to worry says l. There's more
ways than one Of earning, an If my eyes Is pad
/ I'vc got two hands and know how TO use em. Ill
| take place and do house work if can't do moth
| ing elsc.''
"Youd never believe how the thought o that
weighed on him. He'd wake up in the night
/ TO say, Now, Almiry, jest give up that thoughb
an promise me you'll try something else. think
! I'd turn in my grave If l had 10 know you was
slavn in anybodys kitchen
| "'What's the odds p said. You have to be
under orders whatever you do. think it won't
be bad change from the shop
| ale took ON so, though, that to quiet him l
promised him wouldn't do 1t unless had TO, an
/ 'twasnt long after that that he died. Between
the doctors bill-and be was kind man l will
say an didn't charge a tenth of what he had ought
| to-and the funeral and ALL was cleaned out of
everything. I'd had TO pawn a month before he
died and was Just stripped. Sewing no good
My eyes went back on me like everything else, and
| in fortnight knew there wasn't anything tor IL
but getting place i left such things as L had
in charge of the old ladies an answered adve1-
tisement for a capable girl willing to work.
SWELL it was a handsome house an elegant
| things in the parlors an bedrooms, but my heart
I sunk when she took me into the kitchen. The last
girl had gone off in a rage an left everything an
there was grease and dirt from floor to ceiling IL
was deep basement with one window an door
opening right into the area with glass set in it, and
iron bars to both but dirty to that degree you
| couldn't three feet beyond. Cocluoaches
walking round at their and watcrbugs SO
| thick you didn't know where to lay anything.
"'Youn have things quite your own way the
lady said for I never come into the kitchen
Bridget attends to upstairs but you attend to fires
| and the meals and washing and ironing and
expect punctuality and everything well DONE
AT least IL sounds Independent / thought,
| and I made up my mind to try it, for the wages
were SIS o month, ana that with board seemed
| doing well Bridget came down presently. She
was seventeen an pretty girl rather, but she
looked fit to drop and fell down In a chair
| It's the bell she said. The comm an go
in here niycr ceases, an whin 'tsn't the front
door it her own bell an she'll jingle it or holer
up the tube in tho middle O. the night If she takes
notion
II wouldn't ask questions for / thought
| should find out soon enough SO said I'd like TO
| go up to my room "a minute.
60 It's our room you IL name she said. There's
| but the one, an it's hard enough for two TO be
slapin' on bed that's barely the width O. one
my heart sunk then, for I'd always had place
that was comfortable all my nfe but ii sunk
deeper when l went up there. hall bedroom.
with single bed and a small table, with wash
bowl and small pitcher. chair and some nails
in the door for hanging things. That was all eA
cept "a torn shade at the window. l looked at the
bed. The two ragged comfortables were foul with
long use. / thought of my nice bed down al
Spiingst, my own good sheets aud blankets and
all, and l began to cry.
Won n ne
likes Of IT, Bridget said. There's another noon
,he same as this but betther. Why not AK for 1t
81 started down the stairs and came right upon
Airs Melrose, who smiled as if she thought had
0een enjoying myself
80 Pm perfectly willing to Try and do your work
as well rs know how / said, "but must have
place to myself and clean things in IT,
$" Highty-tighty says She. What impudence
is this? Youth take what | give you and be
thankful to get it. Plenty AZ good as you have
slept in that room and never complained
80 Then it's time some one did said don't
ask anything but deccncy, and if you can't give
it l must try elsewhere
"'Then you'd better set about it at once she
says, and with that bid her good afternoon aud
walked out. ! had another number in my pocket
and l went straight there, and this time had
sense enough to ask to see my room. II was bare
family and it was little house on Perry St There
| staid two years. They were strange years. The
| folks were set in their ways and they had some
| money. But every day Of that time the lady cut
| off herself from the meat what she thought
ought to have and ordered me to put away the rest
| She allowed no dessert except on Sunday and she
| kept cake and preserves locked in UPSTAIRS
| closet. l wouldn't have minded that. What l
! did mind was that from the time / entered the
house till left ii there was never a word for me
beyond order, any more than If ! hadn't been a
human being. She couldn't find fault. | was born
clean and that house shonc from top to bottom.
but a dog would have got far more kindness than
they gave me. At last | said I'd try place
where there were children and maybe they'd like
| me Mrs Smith was dumb with surprise when
told her | must leave. Leave she says. Wore
| perfectly satisfied. You're q very good girl, Al
| mira It's the first time you've ever told me
So. says, and think change Is best all round
She urged but l was set, and l went from there
when the month up
| "Well my eyes stayed bad for sewing and
| must keep on at housewor< Pve been in seven
| places in six years. / could have stayed in every
one, and about every one / could tell you THINKS
that make it plain enough why selfrcspcctng
girl would rather try something else. don't talk
| or think nonsense about wanting 10 be one OF the
family. l don't I'd much rather keep to myself.
But out OF these seven places there was just one
in which the mistress seemed 10 think | was a hui
man being with something in me the same as in
her. Pye been underfed and worked half to
death in two Of the houses. The mistress ex-
pected just much, and if it failed she stOrmed
and went on and said was a shirlI and good for
nothing and all that. There was on " one Of
them that had IA deccnty comfortable room or that
thought to give chance at book paper
| now and then AS long as had trade was GER
tain Of my evenings and my Sundays Now I'm
never certain of anything. I'm not shirk. I'm
quick and smart and know turn off work In
ten hours earn more than ever get. But / be-